CBP Officers - Let's speak today!

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave

Retirement benefits

Training & development

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeks full-time Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPO) at GS-5, GS-7, and GS-9 levels.

The role guards the nation at airports, seaports, and land crossings, screening people and goods while enforcing laws and ensuring lawful travel and trade. Entry-level to higher-grade opportunities include extensive background checks, training at FLETC, and federal benefits.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and residency requirements described in the notice.
• Valid driver's license and background investigations.
• Eligibility for polygraph and medical fitness assessments.
• Age and veteran preference conditions as outlined.

Responsibilities

• Screen travelers, cargo, and vehicles.
• Enforce customs, immigration, and agriculture laws and regulations.
• Conduct inspections of individuals, documents, goods, and conveyances.
• Determine whether individuals are admissible to the United States.
• Detect suspicious behavior, prohibited goods, and potential security threats.
• Protect national security while facilitating lawful travel and international trade.

Skills

Public interaction

Attention to detail

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

LL.B./J.D.

Job description

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICER (CBPO) | GRADE LEVELS GS-5, GS-7 and GS-9

You Don’t Just Check Passports. You Guard the Nation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is recruiting for full-time Customs and Border Protection Agents at multiple grade levels. Entry level up to candidates with qualifying general experience, education, public safety, security, military police, or law enforcement experience who may be eligible for consideration at higher grade levels.

As a CBPO, you are the face—and the shield—of the United States at airports, seaports, and land crossings. You’ll use technology, instinct, and training to protect the country from threats while facilitating lawful travel and trade.

This is federal law enforcement at the intersection of precision, pressure, and purpose.

What You’ll Do

• Screen travelers, cargo, and vehicles.
• Enforce customs, immigration, and agriculture laws and regulations.
• Conduct inspections of individuals, documents, goods, and conveyances.
• Determine whether individuals are admissible to the United States.
• Detect suspicious behavior, prohibited goods, and potential security threats.
• Prevent illegal entry, drug smuggling, and other contraband activity.
• Protect national security while facilitating lawful travel and international trade.
• U.S. Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Residency: Must have maintained primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• Age: Generally must be referred for selection before reaching age 40, subject to applicable exceptions.
• Background Screening: Must successfully complete applicable background investigation, polygraph, medical, and physical fitness requirements.
• Driver’s License: Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Age Requirement: In accordance with Public Law 100-238, this position is covered under federal law enforcement retirement provisions. Candidates generally must be referred for selection before their 40th birthday under DHS Directive 251-03. Exceptions may apply to qualifying current or former federal civilian law enforcement officers covered by Title 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) or 8412(d), and Veterans' Preference eligible candidates.

Qualifications — GS-5, GS-7 and GS-9

GS-5 — General Experience or Education

Candidates may qualify through one of the following:

• Three years of general work experience, including one year equivalent to at least GS-4, demonstrating the ability to meet and deal with people and learn and apply a body of facts; OR
• A bachelor's degree or completion of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR
• A qualifying combination of general experience and completed college education.

GS-7 — Specialized Experience or Education

Candidates may qualify through one of the following:

• One year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, involving activities such as:
• Inspecting people, documents, or goods for fraud, criminal activity, or illegal operations.
• Evaluating facts and documentation while applying federal, state, or local laws.
• Making regulatory or enforcement determinations that may result in arrests, seizures, fines, or penalties.
• A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA), including qualifying class standing, GPA, or honor society membership; OR
• One year of graduate-level education; OR
• A qualifying combination of specialized experience and graduate education.

GS-9 — Advanced Specialized Experience or Education

Candidates may qualify through one of the following:

• One year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, involving activities such as:
• Detaining or arresting suspected violators using appropriate law enforcement procedures.
• Enforcing laws governing imports, exports, or international shipping.
• Using intelligence techniques and behavioral analysis to identify potential threats.
• Conducting law enforcement interviews and determining appropriate actions.
• A master's degree or higher, two years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a qualifying LL.B. or J.D.; OR
• A qualifying combination of specialized experience and graduate education beyond the first 18 semester hours.

GS-9 candidates must also demonstrate applicable knowledge, skills, abilities, and characteristics relating to law enforcement procedures, CBP regulations, inspections, interviewing, decision-making, and detecting smuggling or fraud.

• Entry Grade Levels: GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9, depending on qualifications.
• Annual Base Salary: $41,863–$127,464, depending on grade.
• Promotion Potential: GS-11 and GS-12.
• Overtime: Fully trained CBP Officers may be eligible for up to $45,000 in additional annual overtime pay.
• Recruitment Incentives: Up to $15,000 annually for qualifying priority duty locations, subject to a three- or four-year service agreement.
• Competitive federal salary progression.
• Federal health, dental, and other insurance benefits.
• Paid annual and sick leave.
• Federal retirement benefits and Thrift Savings Plan participation.
• Paid federal law enforcement training.

Recruitment incentives are location-dependent and subject to CBP eligibility requirements, final duty assignment, and service agreements.X

Priority Duty Locations

Before you submit your application you will be asked to select your preferred location. The location you select does not affect your application and it does not affect the locations that are offered to you at the time of your final offer. You will be asked to select from one of the following:

• Arizona: Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales, San Luis
• Minnesota: Grand Portage, International Falls
• Montana: Raymond, Roosville, Sweetgrass, Wild Horse
• New Mexico: Columbus
• Washington: Blaine, Oroville

NOTE: The above preference locations are expected to have vacancies available in the future, however, if the duty locations do not have vacancies at the time of your final offer, you may be offered a different duty location within the United States.

**Recruitment Incentive**

Newly appointed Customs and Border Protection Officers who select a prioritized location at the time of their final offer will be offered up to a $15,000 incentive per year with a three-year service contract . Prioritized locations include: Arizona: Douglas, Lukeville, Nogales, San Luis; California: Calexico; Hawaii: Honolulu; Maine: Eastport; Montana: Raymond, Roosville; New Mexico: Columbus; New York: Alexandria Bay, Champlain, Massena, Trout River; North Dakota: Dunseith, Portal; Texas: Eagle Pass; Washington: Blaine

**Recruitment Incentive**

Newly appointed Customs and Border Protection Officers who select a prioritized location at the time of their final offer will be offered up to a $15,000 incentive per year with a four-year service contract . Prioritized locations include: California: Otay Mesa, San Francisco, San Ysidro, Tecate; Florida: Key West; Maine: Calais, Houlton, Jackman, Madawaska, Van Buren, Vanceboro; Minnesota: Grand Portage, International Falls; Montana: Sweetgrass; North Dakota: Pembina; Texas: Presidio; Vermont: Beecher Falls, Derby Line, Highgate Springs, Norton, Richford; Washington: Oroville

Duty locations are subject to change. If a preferred location is unavailable when a final offer is made, CBP may offer another location based on operational and mission requirements.

Training

You’ll attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia , where you will complete approximately 103 days of intensive instruction covering law enforcement procedures, immigration laws, and other essential CBPO skills.

Successful completion of the academy is required. Candidates assigned to certain duty locations may also be required to complete Spanish-language training.

This is not for everyone. But if you’re still reading, maybe it’s for you.